Vinyl pressings
by Acker Bilk His Clarinet And Strings · 1976
Aria was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 9 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
7N 45607 A-1♢X J 9A side runout, variant 1
7N 45607 B-1♢X 7A HB side runout, variant 1
7N 45607 A-1♢X 5 ATA side runout, variant 2
7N 45607 B-1♢X 4 AUB side runout, variant 2
7N 45607 A-1♢XA-side runout
7N 45607 B-1♢XB-side runout
†7N 45607-A†A-side label
†7N 45607-B†B-side label
AP-1905 (A)Label side A
AP-1905 (B)Label side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Astor AP-1905First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Austria | Pye Records 17 215 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Pye Records 71078First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | France | Pye Records 45.PY. 140 150 / Pye Records 45. PY. 140150First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Germany | Pye Records 17 215 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Portugal | Pye Records 7N 45607First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Spain | Pye Records P1.032First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45607First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45607First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45607First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45607First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Pye Records 71078First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | PRT 7N 456077", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Aria are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Pye Records 7N 45607.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7N 45607, 71078, AP-1905, 17 215 AT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7N 45607 A-1♢X J 9 and 7N 45607 B-1♢X 7A H. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
